Coach Jen B

I know I will never have 6-pack abs.   That is just my reality, especially after 2 c-sections.   However, I would like to improve my mid-section a bit so that maybe I can wear a two-piece this summer without scaring my family and friends!   Now, running has helped with this area quite a bit, but it’s not enough.   (I wish it was!)   I am NOT going to take a picture of my abs and show what they look like now.   Just too scary.   BUT, maybe in a few months, they may get to a point where I may post a pic.   Maybe.   Don’t count on it.   Yesterday was my rest day, so I chose to do Jillian Michaels’ 6 Week six pack .    There are two levels on this DVD – level 1 and level 2.   Last I night I did level 1 and today I am feeling it big time!   I actually just got this DVD yesterday.   I had been using Jillian Michaels’ 30 Day Shred on my rest days, but I felt that I needed to change it up a bit.   Now, I’m ...

I am not one for rain.   I dislike it very much.   However, when it’s 47 degrees and raining, and we have feet of snow outside that needs to disappear, I absolutely love it.   I don’t even mind running in it.   I went out for my regular 3.5 mile run.    It started raining around the midpoint and I didn’t mind at all.    I was dressed very light, much lighter than I’ve been. I wore two shirts, very light gloves (which I tucked into my waist 1 mile into the run), and my new Hind capris!   I found these babies yesterday at TJ Maxx.   I love that store.   I might have to get another pair because I love them so much.   I finished my run 30 minutes, 3 seconds (8:35 min/mile pace).   There were times that I felt like I was absolutely sprinting, but the Garmin told me I definitely was not.   I must be a little tired from the 12.5 yesterday.   When I came home, it was Ward’s turn for his long run.   Today he a...

Three of us girls got together for our long run today.  We were down a girl.  Jill is visiting her mother and doing her 12 miles with her husband.  BUT, I have her dog here!  The last time, Kelsie came to visit, I lost her.  I mean, REALLY lost her.  She wandered off into the woods and was gone for hours.  I sure hope Kelsie doesn't wander off again!   Poor girl, she is not impressed with the ice! I had originally planned on a 12 mile loop at my house, but when Stacy got to my house, she informed me that the roads were very icy.  We were a bit hesitant to run 2 of the legs on two major roadways that usually have quite a bit of traffic with icy conditions, so our route changed in an instant.  We stayed mostly on my road, just did a couple of “out & backs” in both directions from my house.  When we started out, the temperature was 36 degrees.  I was super pumped by the temperature.  But, it was also misting, ...

Seriously, I love Amazon.  My friends and family make fun of me all of the time, but I have gotten some incredible deals on the site.  A while back, I bought diapers using a coupon I received in a Parenting Magazine.  With the coupon, I also received free 2-day shipping.  I paid $0.11/diaper for Luvs brand diapers. I was beyond happy to get diapers at such a great deal and have them delivered to my doorstep in 2 days.  A couple of days later, I received an email telling me I qualified for a 3-month trial of Amazon Prime because I had purchased the diapers.  The free trial expired in November.    Currently, I am a member of Amazon Mom , which gives me the free 2-day shipping benefit.   I have also become addicted to the Subscribe and Save option on Amazon.  I buy our k-cups through this program.  By doing so, my coffee comes to my house with 2-day free shipping, for $0.47/k-cup. The price for K-cups has gone on up Amazon, it ...

With the 10 mile race a complete wash, I need to refocus my training energies toward the next 2 races on my docket:   The Shamrock 5K on 3/13 and the Race The Runways ½ Marathon on 4/2. It really just comes down to improving my time for the both races.   My 5K PR was at the Operation Smile 5K – 23:41.    My half marathon time from Maine Marathon was 1:54:36.   In terms of mileage training, I have a good portion of the mileage down for the ½ thanks for my Midwinter Classic Training.   The girls and I have a 12 mile run planned for this weekend.   We’ll do 13 miles next weekend and then taper the mileage from there until race day.   What I really need to work on is my speed.   I will have to get in one speed drill this week and one next week.   Unfortunately, it appears as though this is my meetings from hell month.   It’s going to take some creative planning and squeezing in.   Perhaps I’ll get in a few runs during my lun...

Tomorrow is my birthday.  I had dinner and drinks with the girls the other night and we then we will celebrate next weekend as a family - dinner and shopping.  Very low key.  The way I like it.   Ward has been asking me what I want for my birthday.  I’ve been thinking long and hard about it.  All I could think of was, a shopping spree at Horny Toad, Patagonia, and NorthFace. Then he showed me these babies.  They are Barefoot Pace Gloves by Merrell . I am in love.  I’ve been wanting a low profile shoe and I’ve really loved the Vibram Five fingers.    But I wasn’t sure of the feeling around my toes.  I just wish there was a Merrell shore store closer so I could try them on before I buy them. Should I just go for it?  Buy them online and hope they work?  Hopefully there is free returns if they don’t work out!  Or, should I look for some low profile racers first?  Hmmm….decisions. 

So, the Midwinter Classic has officially been cancelled.  Yuck. The girls and I had a night-before-the-big-race pasta dinner with the families at my house.  When 6:30 came (which was the time the organizers for the Midwinter Classic were going to "make the call") we huddled around my computer to find out if were running in Cape Elizabeth or running in Gardiner tomorrow.  I guess we are lucky that we don't have to drive over an hour to run.  (I think)  We have been training for this race forever!  It was originally scheduled for February 6, then postponed until the 27th. The worst part about it is that Stacy and I will not meet our goal of running 1 race/month for 2011.   I had a post ready to go about my pre-race jitters and the prepping I got through to get ready for a race.  I guess you'll all have to wait until the next race.  Which is 2 weeks away.  We are going to do the Shamrock 5K in Bath. Good night all!!!